Pasadena’s Latino Heritage Parade Celebrates 26 Years of Culture and Community

This is a revised version of an earlier story.

Pasadena will host its 26th Annual Latino Heritage Parade and Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., marking over a quarter-century of celebrating Latino history and contributions to the community.

This year’s theme, “Somos Pasadena: Seguimos Floreciendo” (“We Are Pasadena: We Continue to Flourish”), highlights the growth of the Latino community and its integral role in the city’s cultural tapestry. The event is sponsored by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services and the Pasadena Latino Heritage Parade and Festival Committee.

“Pasadena’s Latino Heritage Parade and Festival is a proud tradition that not only honors the contributions of our vibrant Latino community but also celebrates the strength, diversity, and unity of our city,” Mayor Victor M. Gordo said in a statement.

The parade will begin at the intersection of Los Robles Avenue and Buckeye Street and will conclude in front of City Hall at 100 N. Garfield Ave. Following the parade, a festival featuring live entertainment, educational booths, children’s activities, and a variety of food vendors will take place. 

Organizers expect more than 2,000 participants and spectators to attend.

This year’s grand marshals are Martín Dorado, a fifth-grade teacher at Madison Elementary School, and José M. Hernández, a NASA astronaut who served as a mission specialist on the STS-128 mission.

Dorado, in his ninth year with the Pasadena Unified School District, is known for his dedication to encouraging and mentoring students, particularly bilingual learners. As a Mexican-American proud of his Zacatecano heritage, he has been a steadfast advocate for education within the community.

Hernández’s journey to space began with a dream inspired by hearing about Franklin Chang-Díaz, the first Hispanic-American astronaut. While working in a field near Stockton, he learned of Chang-Díaz’s selection as an astronaut through a transistor radio. Motivated by this news, he pursued his aspirations, completing Astronaut Candidate Training in 2006 and flying aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009 as a mission specialist.

Several streets will be closed for the event, including portions of Buckeye Street, Los Robles Avenue, Walnut Street, and Garfield Avenue. 

Free parking will be available at designated locations, including the Pasadena Central Library parking lot, the city parking lot next to the Y.W.C.A..

Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation options. The Metro A Line (formerly the Gold Line) stops at Memorial Park Station, which is within walking distance of the event. Bus routes servicing the area include Pasadena Transit Route 10, Metro 686, Metro 180, and Foothill Transit 187. Cyclists can take advantage of the new Union Street Protected Bikeway to access the festivities.

For more information about the Latino Heritage Parade and Festival, call (626) 744-6530 or visit cityofpasadena.net.